News Corp. realigns gov’t affairs ops

Michael Regan to oversee U.S., Euro, Asia activities

News Corp. said Monday it has restructured and consolidated its global government affairs activities under current exec Michael Regan as exec VP of government affairs.

Regan has run the conglom’s Washington, D.C. operations since 2001. Heads of Europe and Asia will now report in to him to ensure a “clear, coordinated focus on legislative and regulatory issues across all the territories in which we operate,” said James Murdoch, deputy chief operating officer and chairman-CEO of Intl.

Frederic Michel is being promoted to the newly created role of senior veep of government affairs and public policy for Europe, leading regulatory and public policy efforts for News Corp. and its broad portfolio of businesses across Europe, reporting to Regan.

Michel, who has most recently been director of public affairs for Europe, will head the company’s new Brussels-based operation.

Prior to joining News Corp., Michel was founding director of the international think tank Policy Network.

Joe Welch, senior VP of government affairs for Asia, will report to Regan from Hong Kong. He has been with the company since 2005 and oversees public policy and regulatory advocacy for News Corp. business units across the region. Previously, he served as MCI WorldCom’s Asia director of government affairs and earlier was an attorney at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.